MacGregorSailors.com

Hi all,
I just bought the boat last winter and was looking at the sails this weekend. The main and spinnaker are in
great shape, but the (100%??) jib on a CDI roller furling is so brittle you can easily push your fingernail through
it. Not that I was trying to do that, I saw the leech had long tears as we unfurled it. When I took hold of the leech to
inspect it my fingernail went right through the fabric which felt more like rice paper with mold spores on it than a sail.
I think it is a 100% jib as the foot is 11ft and the clew just barely passes the mast. Does anyone know what the J.I.B.E.
numbers on the factory 100% jib are and possibly where I could find a reasonably priced fair weather only jib? I'm
a weekend warrior only and new to sailing, so i don't expect I'll be pushing the Mac to it's limits anytime soon.
We primarily will sail the Columbia River and the Olympic Penisula in the future.
Thanks!

Rob

Hi Rob,

The jib on my '98 X was in the same condition when I bought it. It had been stored uncovered on the furler and UV ate it. I've always intended to repair it since only the first few inches were toast, but I haven't gotten around to it. Bought a 150% Genoa from Blue Water Yachts on their recommendation instead of a jib. They are only a couple of miles from my house. I've been very happy with the bigger sail in the typicaly light summer airs in Puget Sound. Be sure to get and use a cover for whatever foresail you buy. I keep the boat down in Olympia, so let me know when you might be in the neighborhood.

Bill

I have a 1998 26x I bought 4 weeks ago. I went sailing with a sundried furler jib (Arizona) last weekend and the jib practically exploded in a gust. Crack, rip , boom and it was simply a triangular flag with dried pieces fluttering in the air like confetti. Kinda funny in retrospect. I have a lightly used genoa I put on this weekend and I will try it perhaps next weekend in some Lake pleasant adventures. At least I got familiar with the CDI furler and its construction.

Its all good!

Yeah mine was UV damaged from being stored on the furler. I took it too a sail shop and had a UV strip sewn on and the sail should now last at least another 5 years I'm hoping..

So, all of this is making me wonder: When I bought my boat last year, I got the UV resistant Dacron put on the leech and foot of the jib. It's basically an extra strip of thicker material that goes around the outside edge of the jib, and thus is exposed to the sun when the jib is rolled up on the furler. It's sold as an alternative to having Sunbrella sewn on to your leech.

My question is: Does this work, or should I be covering my jib on the furler with something else as well? There's a Mac X at my marina with a sock on his furler, and it makes a racket in the wind, not sure I want to go in that direction.

Thanks, Joe

I have a dacron sewn in and works great (Sunbrella is to thick when furled) but I trailer Sail and also made up a cover 10 inches wide folded in half than sewn from a old sail I cut up. This 10 inches will cover top and sides and allow the sail to breath at bottom yet protect it from UV rays. Useing it for past 4 years.Also keeps sail clean.
Dave

jbousquin wrote:So, all of this is making me wonder: When I bought my boat last year, I got the UV resistant Dacron put on the leech and foot of the jib. It's basically an extra strip of thicker material that goes around the outside edge of the jib, and thus is exposed to the sun when the jib is rolled up on the furler. It's sold as an alternative to having Sunbrella sewn on to your leech.

My question is: Does this work, or should I be covering my jib on the furler with something else as well? There's a Mac X at my marina with a sock on his furler, and it makes a racket in the wind, not sure I want to go in that direction.

Thanks, Joe

I believe I have a brand new, old stock, 100% jib that came with my 1998 26X. My Genoa needs major repairs, so I will entertain selling my crinkly new jib to help fund the repairs. I will consider offers while I am trying to establish a fair price.
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